The Beautiful Wall Tiles You’ll Be Hankering After
More shapely than metros but their equal in appeal, fish scale tiles are winning hearts with their scalloped shape
Sarah Warwick
17 May 2018
Houzz Contributor. I'm a freelance journalist and editor writing for nationals, magazines and websites. A serial house revamper, I love great design, beautiful interiors and practical solutions.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a freelance journalist and editor writing for nationals, magazines... More
Even the biggest fans of metro tiles might have their heads turned by these curvaceous numbers. Fish scale – or scallop, if you prefer – tiles can create a gorgeous surface that’s as eye-catching and lovely as the metro, but with the softness of curves and a more dynamic effect. Sound good? Take a look.
Bring a soft touch
This kitchen has the most authentic of modern credentials. Slick handleless units. Tick. Wraparound surface for the peninsular unit. Yes. Pale grey finish for the cabinetry and walls. Yep. And then there’s the lovely splashback of fish-scale-shaped tiles that draws the eye with its tonal colours set against the neutral backdrop.
Repeating the look? Echo the curve of the tiles in bar stools and pendant lights to soften a contemporary kitchen, and keep the finish fresh by mixing white tiles in with the colours as part of your selection.
This kitchen has the most authentic of modern credentials. Slick handleless units. Tick. Wraparound surface for the peninsular unit. Yes. Pale grey finish for the cabinetry and walls. Yep. And then there’s the lovely splashback of fish-scale-shaped tiles that draws the eye with its tonal colours set against the neutral backdrop.
Repeating the look? Echo the curve of the tiles in bar stools and pendant lights to soften a contemporary kitchen, and keep the finish fresh by mixing white tiles in with the colours as part of your selection.
Go curve up
Which way to hang fish scale tiles? This kitchen contrasts with the first by featuring the curve uppermost in the pattern. While the first approach feels more piscine, the curve-up variation tips the look towards the ornamentation of Art Deco fan shapes.
Try a splashback like this if you like the gloss and block colour of metro tiles, but don’t want to introduce industrial elements into your kitchen. In this scheme, the decorative tiles are the perfect partner for the retro-style cabinetry and warming wood elements.
Which way to hang fish scale tiles? This kitchen contrasts with the first by featuring the curve uppermost in the pattern. While the first approach feels more piscine, the curve-up variation tips the look towards the ornamentation of Art Deco fan shapes.
Try a splashback like this if you like the gloss and block colour of metro tiles, but don’t want to introduce industrial elements into your kitchen. In this scheme, the decorative tiles are the perfect partner for the retro-style cabinetry and warming wood elements.
Dwell on detail
The colour of fish scale tiles you choose can also make the look more or less evocative of oceans – and what lies within them. Go for black or deep navy, as in this smart kitchen, and the effect is definitely on the ‘less’ side of the equation.
Using small tiles like these makes a space feel highly decorated, and even if the tiles themselves are dark, a high-gloss surface will bounce light around to keep your room bright.
Shop for a range of decorative tiles in different patterns and shapes
The colour of fish scale tiles you choose can also make the look more or less evocative of oceans – and what lies within them. Go for black or deep navy, as in this smart kitchen, and the effect is definitely on the ‘less’ side of the equation.
Using small tiles like these makes a space feel highly decorated, and even if the tiles themselves are dark, a high-gloss surface will bounce light around to keep your room bright.
Shop for a range of decorative tiles in different patterns and shapes
Blend similar tones
A scallop tile splashback in this room proves the shape is equally at home in a bathroom as in a kitchen.
If you opt for a large expanse of tiling, follow this room’s example with a range of tones – here, sea-inspired blues and greens – to create gentle variety. Teamed with the room’s wooden built-in cabinetry and display areas, the tiles ensure the atmosphere is far from clinical.
Built-in feature lighting for the nooks is another aspect that make this space far from functional.
Find your perfect bathroom designer on Houzz
A scallop tile splashback in this room proves the shape is equally at home in a bathroom as in a kitchen.
If you opt for a large expanse of tiling, follow this room’s example with a range of tones – here, sea-inspired blues and greens – to create gentle variety. Teamed with the room’s wooden built-in cabinetry and display areas, the tiles ensure the atmosphere is far from clinical.
Built-in feature lighting for the nooks is another aspect that make this space far from functional.
Find your perfect bathroom designer on Houzz
Calm down
The delicate grey-green of celadon-coloured fish scale tiles makes this guest bathroom a calming space. Note how using a larger tile here also contributes towards the relaxed feel of the room, avoiding the busyness of smaller versions.
The delicate grey-green of celadon-coloured fish scale tiles makes this guest bathroom a calming space. Note how using a larger tile here also contributes towards the relaxed feel of the room, avoiding the busyness of smaller versions.
Check out, too, the wallpaper on the adjoining wall, which continues the harmonious colour palette in shades of blue. Looking at a colour wheel when planning decorating projects can inspire you to use adjoining shades like these to enhance a restful ambience.
Double up
Team a fish-scale-tiled splashback with a reflective worksurface and you can enjoy your choice twice. There isn’t much wall space available to make a feature in this kitchen, so it’s a clever way to boost the level of decorative detail when there’s little opportunity.
With no wall units above, the tops of the tiles haven’t been cut level here, making for a pretty, lace-edge finish.
Check out 5 things you never knew you needed in your kitchen
Team a fish-scale-tiled splashback with a reflective worksurface and you can enjoy your choice twice. There isn’t much wall space available to make a feature in this kitchen, so it’s a clever way to boost the level of decorative detail when there’s little opportunity.
With no wall units above, the tops of the tiles haven’t been cut level here, making for a pretty, lace-edge finish.
Check out 5 things you never knew you needed in your kitchen
Cook out
Fish scale tiles turn this outdoor kitchen into a space that’s as striking as an indoor room.
This super-equipped set-up for summer food prep, cooking and dining outside is in Australia, but more and more of us are following the Aussies’ lead and upgrading from a barbecue to a more sophisticated outdoor kitchen with storage, work space and even a sink and fridge.
In gorgeous green, these tiles link the exterior kitchen-diner with the planting. For something a little quieter but still striking, a soft shade of blue is a great alternative to complement the greens of the garden.
Fish scale tiles turn this outdoor kitchen into a space that’s as striking as an indoor room.
This super-equipped set-up for summer food prep, cooking and dining outside is in Australia, but more and more of us are following the Aussies’ lead and upgrading from a barbecue to a more sophisticated outdoor kitchen with storage, work space and even a sink and fridge.
In gorgeous green, these tiles link the exterior kitchen-diner with the planting. For something a little quieter but still striking, a soft shade of blue is a great alternative to complement the greens of the garden.
Transform with tiles
Tiled fireplaces are associated with period style, but the scallop-shaped designs here have been used to bring a 1970s fireplace up to date.
Oak frames the blues and greens of the tiles, and they’re laid neither up nor down this time but sideways, giving the impression of light and airy bubbles.
The colours and the shape have been used as a cue for the rest of the space – check out the painted logs, and ceramics that pick up the tiles’ shades, plus the curve of the decorative blue paint effect at the top of the wall to the left of the revamped fireplace.
Tiled fireplaces are associated with period style, but the scallop-shaped designs here have been used to bring a 1970s fireplace up to date.
Oak frames the blues and greens of the tiles, and they’re laid neither up nor down this time but sideways, giving the impression of light and airy bubbles.
The colours and the shape have been used as a cue for the rest of the space – check out the painted logs, and ceramics that pick up the tiles’ shades, plus the curve of the decorative blue paint effect at the top of the wall to the left of the revamped fireplace.
Swim in the waves
This bathroom has a fairytale quality, with mermaid-style tiling. Follow its example by using downlighting if you want tiles that really shine.
The brilliant colour is used to define the bathing space, zoning the room. To avoid an overdose of colour, why not borrow the idea of tiling along the top and edge of the bath and leaving the side panel neutral?
This bathroom has a fairytale quality, with mermaid-style tiling. Follow its example by using downlighting if you want tiles that really shine.
The brilliant colour is used to define the bathing space, zoning the room. To avoid an overdose of colour, why not borrow the idea of tiling along the top and edge of the bath and leaving the side panel neutral?
Use white on white
If you want to create a contrast with units without deviating from a white palette, be inspired by this kitchen.
The textural finish of the fish scale design distinguishes it from the flat-fronted, handleless cabinets without employing colour to do the job. Setting the shine of tiles against matt lacquer units makes the surfaces distinct, too.
Consider grout colour as well as tile style. Here, using a darker shade emphasises the outline of the tiles, so their interesting shape isn’t lost.
Tell us…
Have you used fish scale tiles in your home? Do any of these ideas tempt you? Let us know in the Comments section.
If you want to create a contrast with units without deviating from a white palette, be inspired by this kitchen.
The textural finish of the fish scale design distinguishes it from the flat-fronted, handleless cabinets without employing colour to do the job. Setting the shine of tiles against matt lacquer units makes the surfaces distinct, too.
Consider grout colour as well as tile style. Here, using a darker shade emphasises the outline of the tiles, so their interesting shape isn’t lost.
Tell us…
Have you used fish scale tiles in your home? Do any of these ideas tempt you? Let us know in the Comments section.
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My favorites are the celadon greens ones---so easy on the eyes.
do we have these in india ? bangalore ?
Funny how everyone lays them differently. I prefer the round edge at the top (lifts the eye up, not down). Love the celedon as well....